Microclimatic Factors of Blacktop Roads as they Affect Bird Behavior, Diurnal Distribution and Range
File(s)
Date
1976-03Author
Whitford, Philip Clason
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Between 11 May and 30 September 1974, 2127 birds were observed
on the surface of blacktop roads. Relationships between the presence
of birds on the road and air temperatures were evaluated against data
from four microclimates: the road in the sun, the road in the shade,
the litter layer under pines, and the ground layer in herbaceous vegetation.
The presence of birds also was evaluated relative to varying
cloud cover, wind velocity, precipitation, and dampness of the road
surface. At the times when the maximum number of birds was present
on the road surface, the temperature of the macadam road in the sun
was significantly warmer than the ambient air temperature or the
microclimates of the litter layer beneath the pines or the herbaceous
ground layer.
It appeared that the birds used the macadam roads for warmth.
The existence of the man-made microclimate of the macadam road appeared
to influence bird behavior, diurnal distribution, and possibly
the northward distribution of some species.